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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused almost exclusively be asbestos exposure. The symptoms of mesothelioma are serious, but can also be easily misdiagnosed. It also can take decades for symptoms to appear. If someone is suffering from health problems due to asbestos in the workplace, a lawsuit may be able to be filed against the company that manufactured the asbestos, the company that manufactured faulty protective equipment, the owners of the premises where the asbestos was locates or the contractors/sub-contractors involved.

Upon the diagnosis or discovery of mesothelioma, the state of Illinois gives a person two years to file a lawsuit. Additionally, a family will have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim if a family member were to die from mesothelioma.

The value of individual mesothelioma claims will differ because the disease affects individual people differently. You will need to factor in your medical expenses and lost wages as a result of the disease. Pain and suffering is a non-quantifiable factor in personal injury cases, but is also important due to the extreme emotional impact mesothelioma can have on a person and his or her loved one. Additionally, you may be able to collect punitive damages due to negligence. Be sure to have any paperwork regarding your struggle with mesothelioma available for your attorney. This includes medical bills, pay stubs, employment history, etc.

Many companies failed to warn their workers about the dangers of mesothelioma in order to continue using the inexpensive product. Now these companies are being held accountable for their actions. In some cases, companies have set up asbestos victim compensation funds that assume liability for the company. These types of funds serve to streamline to financial recovery process in asbestos-related lawsuits.

In addition to mesothelioma, there are other asbestos-related injuries that occur due to prolonged asbestos exposure, including breathing difficulties and other lung diseases such as asbestosis. Asbestosis is a pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which results in the lungs becoming irritated and inflamed. The body's natural repair process can lead to further inflammation and cell damage in the lungs.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos can have long lasting effects on your health and even the health of your loved ones. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help get you the compensation you deserve.